JetBlue Offers Free Flights to Disappointed Voters

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

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If astronomers found out that a huge meteor would hit Earth in a week, you can bet some PR type would figure out a promotional angle. Case in point: JetBlue’s new Election Protection scheme.

The airline is channeling the cry often heard on both sides of the aisle: “If my guy loses the election, I’m leaving the country.” Well, says JetBlue, you can. Here’s the deal: Sign up for JetBlue’s online poll, indicate your favored U.S. presidential candidate, register for one of 1,006 free trips, and select your destination. The free flights for winning couples (that’s 2,012 tickets, get it?) backing the losing candidate will be from any JetBlue mainland city to any of JetBlue’s 21 international destinations. Trip certificates will be valid for travel January 8 through February 13 and subject to seat availability. Some blackout dates apply. The prize covers the base air ticket price only and do not include taxes, fees, or any destination costs.

Registration is open now through November 5. To register for the program, go to the Election Protection website.

As of today the online real time poll on JetBlue’s site shows 56 percent for the Democrats, 44 percent for the Republican ticket. But it’s hard to figure what that means: Is it a real indication of preference, or a reverse indication, with partisans registering for the side they hope will lose? We’ll find out in November.

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